One mum has shared a selfie to show the real face of sleep deprivation - tired eyes, messy hair and all.

Mum, writer and lactation consultant Wendy Wisner posted the selfie on Facebook. While she describes sleep deprivation as something that causes stress and sadness, she also says there is a 'certain sweetness to it'.

And yet, it’s part of parenting. It’s the stuff of parenting, actually. It’s staying up with a snotty, feverish toddler. It’s your baby nursing all night, cuddling into you, remembering again what it was like inside you, safe and warm. It’s your school age child coming into bed with you because of a nightmare, taking your hand, and falling back asleep.

It’s exhausting, terribly so, but there’s a sweetness to the suffering. There is the knowledge that there is no one on earth who can do this exact thing for your kids — that they need you this much and you are there, awake, present, loving them, keeping them safe."

The Facebook post struck a chord with mothers everywhere.

Wisner spoke to The Huffington Post about why she shared her selfie, saying:

"I want people to know that this is what motherhood looks like. It’s no make-up, hair tied back in a messy bun, wrinkles, bags under eyes. But it’s real, and it’s among the most beautiful and authentic work that humans can do."